On Sat, 30 Apr 2016, Eike wrote:

>
> Hi,
>
> I have some code that uses `org-babel-insert-result' and I've found that
> evaluating for example
>
>   (org-babel-insert-result "a")
>
> results in an error.

Although not explicitly marked as such, `org-babel-insert-result' seems 
intended as an internal function for processing babel RESULTs.

> The reason is that `goto-char' is called with a nil
> argument.

When your snippet is in a src block or inline src block, there is no 
error. Also, no error when point is in a src block and you run the snippet 
with

:  M-x eval-expression RET (org-babel-insert-result "a") RET

So, it looks like you are trying to evaluate the snippet above when 
point is not in a src block. AFAICS, there is no guarantee that such usage 
will succeed.

Failure in such uses seems more like a feature than a bug.

> I simply put the snippet in a `when' clause, but since the
> function is quite large I'm not so sure if it's now doing always the
> correct thing. At least my org files seem still to work….
>
> I've added the patch in case it is ok to be applied. Maybe someone can
> have a look at it.
>

See http://orgmode.org/worg/org-contribute.html for details on how to 
contribute. Also, running `make test' on new code is a good idea.

If you can explain what you are trying to achieve, someone may suggest a 
fix that does not require retooling babel internals.

Or if you can provide an ECM that suggests a bug in babel, then someone 
may suggest a better fix.

HTH,

Chuck